Mother With Life Threatening Condition Dies After Giving Birth To Child

A Florida teacher who suffered from a rare medical condition died last week after giving birth to her fourth child. The woman was well aware of the risks surrounding the birth, but chose to proceed anyway.

Suzanne Mazzolla of Tamarac, just 30 minutes west of Fort Lauderdale, suffered from a rare medical condition known as placenta accreta, which causes the placenta to attach itself too deeply into the wall of the uterus.

Mazzolla worked as a special education teacher in the same school her kids attended. She gave birth by cesarean section to a healthy baby boy–Owen–at 6 pounds and 2 ounces. After the birth, however, Mazzolla began hemorrhaging; and the 15 doctors who attended to her at nearby Memorial Hospital in Hollywood were unable to save her.

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“She often mentioned how scared she was,” said Grace Dolan, a fellow colleague of Mazzola’s, to the Sun-Sentinel. “We always told her to have faith and be positive. But we never thought this would be the outcome.”

Mazzola’s aunt, Janet Free, recalled how she was with her the day before the birth at a baby shower. “We all said our goodbyes with smiling faces, never imagining it would be the last time we would see her,” she said.

We never think the worst will happen and don’t plan well enough for something like this…Suzanne’s four children and husband Joe need our support, as there isn’t any financial safety yet.

Mazzolla is survived by her husband Joe and their four children: Matteo, 7; Ella, 5; Luca, 2, and Owen. A You Caring page has been established to donate to the family.